European Tour

'Stupid mistake' won't leave scars - McIlroy

ESPN staff

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Rory McIlroy is two shots off the lead after a second-round 72 © PA Photos

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Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy vowed to learn from his "very stupid mental mistake" after he blew the chance of claiming a share of the halfway lead at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

The US Open champion kicked off his week in style, claiming the clubhouse lead after an opening five-under 67. The world No. 3 was level-par for the day as he headed for the ninth tee in his second round when his challenge went off track.

Six feet off the green in two, the 22-year-old brushed sand away from his line and incurred a two-stroke penalty for his misdemeanour. Luke Donald, playing in the same group as McIlroy, immediately pointed out his rival's error and a referee was called.

As his ball was not on the green, McIlroy was guilty of an infringement and was duly punished, preventing him from finishing the day alongside Dane Thorbjorn Olesen on seven-under. "I wasn't thinking clearly and just made a very stupid mental mistake," McIlroy said.

When asked whether he did not realise he had broken the rules or just suffered a loss of concentration, he said: "I think it was a little bit of both - first week back as well.

"Luke said, 'Don't think you can do that', and I was like, 'Oh yeah, I can't, can I?'. It happens and you just have to take it on the chin. There was so much sand in my line I didn't even think about it. I'll definitely not do it again.

"It's a bit of a weird rule. You can move a loose impediment like a divot out of your line. You can't move sand. Not a weird rule, but a tricky rule. That's the same penalty as hitting the ball out of bounds. It's tough, but the rules are the rules and we've got to play by them.

"I'm sure Luke was put in an awkward position there, but he had to say it. If I was in his position I would have said the same thing. It's fine. I have a hundred more tournaments to play, so it's not life-and-death out there."